WASHINGTON – Do you have a longing to make this new year special?
Would you like to recapture the fun of making memories, celebrating traditions and family milestones?
Would you just like to learn how to get back to a simpler way of life?
The WND Superstore has some great gift ideas for you or someone on your shopping list this Christmas season to start the new year off right.
- “Everyday Traditions” by Nava Atlas: Topics include daily dinner and other kitchen rituals, preserving family history, creating memories, building family identity, fun and meaningful celebrations, seasonal activities, friendship and leisure for busy mothers and much more. Lushly illustrated and containing scores of simple ideas, this book also contains pages for readers to record and develop their own favorite family traditions. The Hudson Valley Parent had this to say about the book: “Everyday Traditions offers simple but unique suggestions for working quality time into your family’s hectic schedule. Herself a busy mother of two, Atlas shares her own experiences in illustrating the importance of creating traditions and building family connections.” Here’s what Cheryl Foley wrote in California Homeschool News: “Every chapter is full of ideas for creating special moments with our loved ones, every day of the year. I highly recommend this book for homeschooling families, or for anyone looking for ways to connect with their children and create lifelong memories.”
- “Celebrating Family Milestones” by Debra Linesch: As each family grows and develops, everyone experiences the challenge of changes and transitions. Although adults frequently have trouble coping with change, it can be much more difficult for a child. Even birthdays, temporary separations or friends moving away can result in confused feelings that are very difficult for children to express and handle by themselves. The basic message of “Celebrating Family Milestones” is that families can communicate with each other and provide mutual support by making art together. The author is a professional psychologist who has used art therapy to reach children with serious problems they were unable to deal with verbally. She has applied the same techniques to help families (including her own) weather transitions and grow closer and stronger. This book deals with two major problems that impede communication: lack of time together and the difficulty of expressing feelings through words alone. By taking time on a regular basis to make art together, families participate in an enjoyable activity that provides the setting for communication. Making art together helps family members to express feelings with more than just words, which are often so difficult to find, especially for children. Although children will usually say they’re OK, they often hide the fear or confusion they feel inside. In their art children will express – often unconsciously – what they really feel. The results provide valuable clues for parents, who can use this opportunity for discussion and reassurance if necessary. Projects cover a wide range of family experience, including the birth of a new baby, the death of a grandparent, a temporary separation during a parent’s business trip, the celebration of New Year’s and the importance of the family tree. Every project is complete in itself, yet the author leaves room for improvisation to suit each family’s particular situation.
- “The Simplicity Primer” By Patrice Lewis: WND’s own columnist Patrice Lewis offers up this classic – autographed! Have you ever wondered if it was possible to really simplify your life without giving away all your possessions, joining the Green Party or taking up meditation? For too long, the terms “simplicity” or “simple living” have been associated with the far-left granola crowd. Now a practical alternative is available. “The Simplicity Primer” addresses how to achieve a simple lifestyle from a concrete, conservative, no-nonsense, realistic standpoint. It offers guidelines for family life, finances, the workplace, health, relationships, spiritual life, home, recreational activities and much more. Imagine how simple your life would be if you were out of debt and had well-behaved kids and a happy marriage. Imagine what it would be like to have an uncluttered home or a job you love. Imagine how it would be if you were better able to survive and thrive in these increasingly uncertain times. These things are possible, and following even a few of the 365 tips in this book will simplify your life in amazing ways.
- “Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life” by Nancy Sleeth: Have you ever stopped to think, maybe the Amish are onto something? Look around. We tweet while we drive, we talk while we text and we surf the Internet until we fall asleep. We are essentially plugged in and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rather than mastering technology, we have allowed technology to master us. We are an exhausted nation. No one has enough time, everyone feels stressed out and our kids spend more hours staring at a screen each week than they do playing outside. It’s time to simplify our lives, make faith and family the focal point and recapture the lost art of simple living. Building on the basic principles of Amish life, Nancy Sleeth shows readers how making conscious choices to limit (and in some cases eliminate) technology’s hold on our lives and getting back to basics can help us lead calmer, more focused, less harried lives that result in stronger, deeper relationships with our families, friends and God.
- “The Art of Soap Making”: Bring creative flair to your home with “The Art of Soap Making,” the new DVD from the West Ladies, Vicki, Jasmine, Hannah and CeCe. This inspiring DVD is full of instructive step-by-steps, artful how-tos and entertaining advice in the pleasurable and highly useful activity of making soap. Includes instruction in basic soaps, decorative soaps, soap balls, hand-milled soaps and much more! This DVD is packed with a host of activities sure to brighten your home, teach valuable skills and cultivate family creativity. With warmth, hospitality and Southern charm, the West Ladies offer great insight, encouragement and a joyful picture of family unity. This unique and creative DVD is sure to provide fun skills that will inspire families to work together, learn together and enjoy the art of soap making.
- “Homestead Blessings: The Art of Candle Making” (DVD): Learn the artful skill of candle making in this exciting DVD from the West Ladies – Vicki, Jasmine, Hannah and CeCe. This creativity-inspiring film is full of helpful instruction, practical tips and fun-filled insight into the unique art of candle making. From distinctive and beautiful glow lamps, twisted candles, decorative ornaments, basic seven-inch candles and much more, this DVD is filled with a range of candle making activities sure to encourage warmth and creativity for your family. Bring the joy of candle making into your home with the Southern hospitality and homestead charm the West Ladies bring to this entertaining and instructive film. “The Art of Candle Making” is full of special techniques, artistic flair and family unity sure to cultivate beauty, joy and ambiance in your home.
- “Homestead Blessings: The Art of Canning” (DVD): From basic skills to more advanced techniques and tricks that come from years of experience, “The Art of Canning” is sure to provide you with the skill sets you need to can a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. You’ll learn about equipment, cleaning, sealing, storage, water-bath method, pressure method, tomatoes, green beans, jams, eggs and much more!
